Staff MemberSenior StaffGreeterTask ForceRegistered

Surely you're not suggesting, Cody, that there is something in the blood, or genetics, of black people that makes them inclined to criminal behavior?

What I am saying is that if race has anything to do with statistics that show a higher percentage of black people being arrested, convicted, and imprisoned, it has to do with the perceptions of black people on the part of those who are arresting, trying, convicting, and sentencing them.

Are black people more likely to be involved in criminal behavior than white people? It might be better to ask, are poor people more likely to be involved in criminal behavior than those who are not poor?

The disparity in wealth between white and black people in the United States is huge and growing wider rather than narrower. There are significant gaps, also, in education and homeownership. As a percentage of the population, white people are more likely to get a head start through inheritance. Similarly, Hispanic income levels, education, homeownership, and inheritance are significantly lower than in white people. The poorer people within black and Hispanic populations are more likely to live in primarily black or Hispanic neighborhoods while, among white people, it is the richer percentage who tend to live in primarily white neighborhoods.

This means that people growing up in primarily black or Hispanic neighborhoods are more likely to be poor and, because they are living among other people who are poor, they don't have the same support system as someone in a wealthier neighborhood might have. Not only are the schools likely to be less well-funded, but there is likely to be less of an emphasis on the importance of education. There are fewer legitimate opportunities and possibly more illegitimate ones, and it has little or nothing to do with being black or Hispanic. Switch the black and Hispanic faces with white faces, and the results will be the same.

No, this isn't true of everyone. Whatever their race, people are individuals, and individuals will sometimes rise up out of poverty, just as other individuals with every opportunity in the world will still sink. But we're talking percentages here.

In conclusion, then. I believe that the statistics dealing with arrest, prosecution, and convictions of black, Hispanic, and white people are skewed due to the greater likelihood that a black or Hispanic person is going to be arrested, prosecuted, and convicted than would a white person committing a similar crime, and that the remaining statistical disparities are due, not to race or nationality, but to a whole host of other factors.

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Stands to reason that in majority black neighborhoods more crime would be committed by blacks. Now my county is more than ninety percent Caucasian. Every evening the paper is filled with white folks. White folks just a robbin,a wife beatin,child molestin,and all manner of scumbaggery. If you go to jail in this county, I guaranfrickentee ya that your cell mate is gonna be a scrawny tattooed, green toothed methhead.

Registered

Surely you're not suggesting, Cody, that there is something in the blood, or genetics, of black people that makes them inclined to criminal behavior?

What I am saying is that if race has anything to do with statistics that show a higher percentage of black people being arrested, convicted, and imprisoned, it has to do with the perceptions of black people on the part of those who are arresting, trying, convicting, and sentencing them.

Are black people more likely to be involved in criminal behavior than white people? It might be better to ask, are poor people more likely to be involved in criminal behavior than those who are not poor?

The disparity in wealth between white and black people in the United States is huge and growing wider rather than narrower. There are significant gaps, also, in education and homeownership. As a percentage of the population, white people are more likely to get a head start through inheritance. Similarly, Hispanic income levels, education, homeownership, and inheritance are significantly lower than in white people. The poorer people within black and Hispanic populations are more likely to live in primarily black or Hispanic neighborhoods while, among white people, it is the richer percentage who tend to live in primarily white neighborhoods.

This means that people growing up in primarily black or Hispanic neighborhoods are more likely to be poor and, because they are living among other people who are poor, they don't have the same support system as someone in a wealthier neighborhood might have. Not only are the schools likely to be less well-funded, but there is likely to be less of an emphasis on the importance of education. There are fewer legitimate opportunities and possibly more illegitimate ones, and it has little or nothing to do with being black or Hispanic. Switch the black and Hispanic faces with white faces, and the results will be the same.

No, this isn't true of everyone. Whatever their race, people are individuals, and individuals will sometimes rise up out of poverty, just as other individuals with every opportunity in the world will still sink. But we're talking percentages here.

In conclusion, then. I believe that the statistics dealing with arrest, prosecution, and convictions of black, Hispanic, and white people are skewed due to the greater likelihood that a black or Hispanic person is going to be arrested, prosecuted, and convicted than would a white person committing a similar crime, and that the remaining statistical disparities are due, not to race or nationality, but to a whole host of other factors.

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I do understand what you are saying here, Ken, but what about what Tex Dennis has said in his replies. Remember, Ken, he was a law enforcement officer. And, as I've already stated, if anyone on this forum knows about crime, it would be definitely him. IOW, he's "been there done that", dealing with blacks.

Actually, I would like to hear from him about your reply here. Does he agree, disagree, or...…….

Registered

Come on Cody, He can't be the only one. You ain't lived till you've felt the warmth of that interceptor purring as you cheek lays on the Crown Vics hood, felt the pinch of the cuffs the gravel on your face the knee in your back.

Staff MemberSenior StaffGreeterTask ForceRegistered

I do understand what you are saying here, Ken, but what about what Tex Dennis has said in his replies. Remember, Ken, he was a law enforcement officer. And, as I've already stated, if anyone on this forum knows about crime, it would be definitely him. IOW, he's "been there done that", dealing with blacks.

Click to expand...

He spoke to the percentages of people involved in crime in areas where he has worked. Other than the recently arriving Somali population in southern Maine, a very small percentage of crimes committed in Maine are committed by black people and almost none by Hispanics. There are black people living in Maine but I don't think they're any more likely to commit crimes than white people are, and I think that this is because their income levels are on par with the white people of Maine, they live in the same neighborhoods, attend the same schools, and have as much of a chance to get a job as anyone else.

Nationwide, a large percentage of black and Hispanic people live in predominantly black or Hispanic neighborhoods which, statistically, are more likely to be poor. This isn't true everywhere, either. My grandchildren, who are black, live in a predominantly black neighborhood outside of Baltimore, but it's not particularly poor, the schools are good and, while crime rates may be high as compared to some parts of the country, given its proximity to Baltimore, they compare well to many predominantly white or mixed neighborhoods.

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When you arrest people you inventory their belongings and see a pocket full of $100 bills (so many blacks) and then look at most of the rest almost nothing that say lots to me I am not going negative on anyone nor belating any race just what I saw so many times and the lookouts mostly all under 15 years old with pockets of $10-20's we sure did not have that from mowing lawns or loading hay at that age. I do know the amount of personal crimes and attacks on others were very high as so many said no we don't want a regular job we make so much more and don't have to work for it. It is what it is

Staff MemberSenior StaffGreeterTask ForceRegistered

all under 15 years old with pockets of $10-20's we sure did not have that from mowing lawns or loading hay at that age. I do know the amount of personal crimes and attacks on others were very high as so many said no we don't want a regular job we make so much more and don't have to work for it. It is what it is

Registered

I had a working friend some time back that had a leftist liberal wife, he was not and was quiet around her, I suggested they we go to eat and a walk one day after work he checked and all ok, I even said bring your kids (2). We had pizza and did fine then I suggested a park to head for her husband was quiet, the lady had an odd look about her while we drove to the park finally asked where are we going not much longer I answered. Well I stopped and she was livid and said, WE COULD ALL BE KILLED HERE, WHY HERE, WE WILL BE ROBBED AND SHOT! So the lady even with her views was very against being in this area just before dark, I went to a park, 99% black close to the projects, she was very vocal as why she would not even get out of the cars. SO as nothing had happened just being where we were when confronted with it she wanted no part of it, her husband and I had a good laugh and left, her vision were correct as to where we were, I kept asking why are you upset and finally she said, this an unsafe place!!! How dare you bring my family here? Well thought you would like it per your views. She never said another word. The next day at work her husband said when I left them she told him she felt like a fool. Said then said well if had gone to west Plano would that have been different and an negative gesture followed with no comments.

Same all over I think from what I have heard and seen also not discussed much was in our SE & SW divisions all squads were 2 man just for officer's safety (more of the ever present attitudes shown), more k9 squads and more protective equipment per car, oddly in NE & NW single man squads most all, not a nice thing to really get into but just a FACT of the way it really is. My last 2 years were in coverage scheduling and I really got into all of it and yes all the pieces fit perfectly. I was interviewed once and asked why I sent so much more "firepower" they called it to the black areas well that's where it was needed, that comment sure never was mentioned in the paper article.

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